DeAnna J. Thomas, Allied Industry member from LG Seeds has changed positions. She’s begun her new role as Midwest Central Agriculture Education teacher and FFA Advisor in Manito, IL. She’ll miss telling the LG Seeds story and working with NAFB, but in her new role, she will be using her skills to teach an agricultural communications course. From June 2011 to August 2013, she was AgriBusiness Director for WMBD 1470 and Classic Country 1290 WIRL in Peoria, IL, following in Colleen Callahan’s footsteps. She’d appreciate help from her NAFB colleagues in preparing this communications course. She asked about getting copies of “Airing on the Side of Agriculture” to help her students understand what it takes to be a top-notch ag journalist.
DeAnna helped her FFA students prepare for the Manito Popcorn Festival this past Labor Day weekend. “Our FFA Members built a parade float, built a display that highlights the history of our FFA Chapter through old pictures and awards, put on a kiddie pedal tractor pull, and also set up Cow Patty Bingo” Bingo squares were sold to community members for $10 each. "Patty" the cow was brought in. “Wherever she does her business, if that square is bought, the person wins a quarter of beef,” DeAnna said. Another highlight for Labor Day weekend was their annual Labor Auction. “Every FFA Member participates. We auction each member off to folks in the community to raise money and promote community service. Local farmers, or friends and family members of the student buy them and in return, each student has to complete 8 hours of community service. If the student sells for $75 or more and completes their 8 hours, our alumni chapter buys their Blue and Gold jacket,” DeAnna said. If you want to share communication ideas for DeAnna’s ag communications course or contact her in her new position, her email address is deanna.j.thomas@gmail.com.
